Acute respiratory failure definitions
Hypoxic (PAO2 <8 kPa OA
Hypercapnic (PaCO2 > 6.7 kPa OA
Causes of respiratory failure
Causes of breatlessness(in time)
Minutes –> Pneumothorax, PE, pulmonary oedema
Hours –> Asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary oedema, metabolic acidosis
Days/more –> Pleural effusion, IECOPD, pneumonia
Correlation between oximetry and PaO2
100% –> 13.3
90% –> 8
50% –> 3.5
Sizing oropharyngeal airways:
Contraindications to LMA / iGEL
Complications of LMA / iLMA
Aspiration, gastric insufflation, partial airway obstruction, cough, laryngospasm, post extubation stridor
Volume pre-set assist control ventilation
Operator set tidal volume and minimum ventilatory rate
Patient & ventilator are able to initiate breaths themselves
Breath characteristics same irregardless of who initiates
Pressure pre-set assist control ventilation (pressure control ventilation)
Inspiratory pressure is set (not tidal volume
Normal tidal volume
6-8 ml/kg predicted body weight
PEEP starting:
5 cmH20 - higher levels usually required in patients with acute pulmonary oedema or ARDS
PEEP = 0 in asthma / COAD who are not taking spontaneous breaths
Improving oxygenation + Adverse effects + Range of “safe values”
Causes of high airway pressure / low tidal volumes
How to measure alveolar pressure?
Inspiratory pause hold - in apnoeic patients
- Airway pressure = flow x resistance + alveolar pressure
- If flow = 0
- Then airway pressure = alveolar pressure
Activate inspiratory pause hold on ventilator and note airway pressure when plateaus
Alveolar pressure, not airway pressure causes barotrauma / haemodynamic compromise. If possible keep alveolar pressure <30cmH20
DDx hypotension after PPV initiation
DDx desaturation on ventilation
Principles of ventilation: ARDS
Heterogenous involvement of lung with areas of consolidation/collapse + relative normal areas
= If normal tidal volume used most of this goes to normal areas = barotrauma
Principle: re-open alveoli + keep them open
- High PEEP + low tidal volume
Tidal volumes 6-8 ml/kg predicted + plateu pressure <30mmH20
- Adjust according to required FIO2
Ventilate in prone position
Principles of ventilation: Asthma
High resistance, high risk of gas trapping. Alveolar compliance normal
Indications for NIV
Respiratory acidosis (pH <7.32)
Hypercapnia (PaCO2 >8 kPa)
Hypoxia (PaO2 <8 kPa despite high FiO2)
Contraindications to NIV
Severe acidosis (pH<7.1) Inability to protect and maintain airway Coma Agitation Excessive secretions Haemodynamic instability Pneumothorax Oro-facial abnormalities / recent surgery Recent upper GI surgery Apnoea
NIV appropriate initial settings:
Target urine output:
0.5-1 ml/kg/hour in absence of diuretics, dopamine,
Changes in CVP with fluid boluses:
Measure before & 5 minutes after fluid bolus
0-3 mmHg difference 0 underfilled
3-5 mmHg difference = euvolaemia
>5 mmHg difference = overload
Dopamine
Short acting, ionotropic, chronotropic, vasoconstrictor effects
In sepsis increases cardiac output with minimal effects on TPR
Greater risk of arrythmias than NA
5ug/kg/min